Dawn Y. Sumner is a Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of California, Davis. Her research focuses on geobiology, paleobiology, and planetary science, particularly reconstructing ancient environments on Earth and Mars. She is a key member of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory team, contributing to the Curiosity rover’s exploration of Gale Crater on Mars. Sumner’s work integrates field studies, lab analyses, and interdisciplinary approaches to understand microbial life’s role in shaping Earth’s history and potential habitability on other planets. Education: Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1995). Research interests include microbialite formation, Antarctic lake ecosystems, and the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis. She investigates modern microbial communities in ice-covered lakes (e.g., Lake Vanda) to understand ancient environments and their biosignatures. Her scientific awards include the California Academy of Sciences Academy Fellow (2020) and Geological Society of America Fellow (2014). Sumner emphasizes inclusive education and supports student success in STEM through feminist research practices. Labs/Teams: W.M. Keck Center for Active Visualization in the Earth Sciences (KeckCAVES), Antarctic Lake Research Group.
James K. Russell is a Full Professor in Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at The University of British Columbia, where he has been faculty since 1999. He directs the Volcanology and Petrology Laboratory and maintains an active research program in volcanology and petrology with significant international collaborations including appointments at LMU Munich, University of Torino, and Monash University. His educational background includes a Ph.D. (1984) and M.Sc. (1980) from the University of Calgary, and a B.Sc.(H) (1976) from the University of Manitoba. He previously worked at Cominco Exploration Ltd in Vernon, British Columbia before joining UBC. Russell's research focuses on understanding magmatic processes through multiple approaches. His primary interests include glaciovolcanism as a tool for paleoclimate reconstruction, predictive modeling of magma transport properties, and high-temperature rock mechanics experiments. His work bridges theoretical modeling with field observations, particularly in the Canadian Cordillera. He has developed influential models for magma viscosity that are widely cited in the volcanology community. His publication record shows consistent high-impact research over several decades, with recent work focusing on ultramafic melt viscosity, kimberlite transport mechanisms, and glaciovolcanic interactions. The research demonstrates a strong emphasis on quantitative approaches combining thermodynamics, rheology, and field-based observations to solve fundamental problems in volcanology. Scientific Awards: 2024 Research Award of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, LMU, Munich, Germany 2022 DAAD Research Stay for Visiting Academics Scholarship (3 months) 2019 Visiting Professorship, University Roma Tre 2019 Visiting Fellow at Centre for Advanced Studies, University of Munich 2016 Fellow of Mineralogical Society of America 2013 NSERC Discovery Accelerator Supplement Award 2010 Career Achievement Medal, Volcanology Division, Geological Association of Canada 2008 Peacock Medal, Mineralogical Association of Canada Russell has served in numerous editorial and professional capacities, including as Co-Editor-in-Chief for Journal of Volcanology & Geothermal Research (2016-2022), Associate Editor for multiple prominent journals, and as evaluator for research grants including ERC Consolidator grants and NSERC competitions. He has provided media consultation for National Geographic and Nova/Pioneer Productions. He maintains active laboratory facilities for volcanology and petrology research at UBC, with equipment for high-temperature experiments and magma rheology studies. His research group collaborates internationally with institutions in Germany, Italy, and Australia, reflecting his extensive network built through sabbatical visits and visiting professorships.
Babak Falsafi is a Full Professor at the School of Computer and Communication Sciences (IC) at EPFL, leading the Parallel Systems Architecture Laboratory (PARSA). He is a renowned expert in computer architecture, datacenter systems, and cloud-native server design. His research focuses on post-Moore era computing, emphasizing heterogeneous architectures, energy efficiency, and scalable IT infrastructure. Falsafi is the founder of EcoCloud, an EC-sponsored industrial-academic consortium investigating sustainable information technology. He holds ACM and IEEE fellowships, a Sloan Research Fellowship, and has contributed to major projects like Optimus Prime (data transformation acceleration), AstriFlash (flash-based online service systems), and Midgard (virtual memory re-design). His work spans hardware-software co-design, memory systems, and security. Falsafi advises numerous PhD students and collaborates with industry partners such as Google and Cavium. Key achievements include pioneering scalable multiprocessor architectures, snoop filters in IBM BlueGene, and spatial memory streaming in ARM cores. His lab develops open-source tools like QFlex for server simulation. He frequently presents at top conferences (HPCA, ISCA, MICRO) and chairs workshops on post-Moore infrastructure. Teaching roles include leading courses in computer architecture and parallel systems across multiple EPFL departments (SIN, EDIC, SSC, SMA). His work addresses datacenter challenges like the 'data tax' and mitigating latency through specialized accelerators.
Dr. Zhu Lailai serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS), appointed in January 2020. His research bridges fundamental fluid mechanics with cutting-edge engineering applications through computational and theoretical approaches. Dr. Zhu holds a PhD from KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden) and completed postdoctoral training at Princeton University. His research program centers on: Low-Reynolds-number fluid-structure interactions and bio-inspired adaptive systems Active matter dynamics (Janus colloids, active droplets, flagella/cilia) Intelligent fluids integrating machine learning for fluid dynamics Microrobotics with reinforcement learning-based chemotactic navigation Non-Newtonian/multiphase flows and microfluidics applications Analysis of his 2017-2025 publications reveals a clear trajectory toward AI-enhanced fluid mechanics, evolving from foundational theoretical models to machine learning integration. Recent work emphasizes foundation models for fluid dynamics prediction and topology-adaptive microrobotic navigation, demonstrating interdisciplinary convergence of physics, AI, and bionics. Scientific Awards: No major scientific awards specified in source materials Advising and Grants: While specific advisees and grants aren't detailed, his active publication record across high-impact journals (Nature Communications, Journal of Fluid Mechanics) indicates ongoing supervised research and likely grant funding through NUS and collaborative projects. Research Group: Dr. Zhu leads a computational/theoretical research team at NUS investigating active and intelligent fluids, with current projects on PCM thermal systems, microrobotic navigation, and active matter phase transitions, collaborating with experimentalists globally.
Xiaojing (Ruby) Fu is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Civil Engineering at the California Institute of Technology and a William H. Hurt Scholar (2024-present). Her research focuses on multiphase fluid mechanics in porous media, integrating theory, computation, experiments, and field observations to address geoscience and engineering challenges. Her educational background includes: B.S. in Engineering from Clarkson University (2011) M.S. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2015) Ph.D. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2017) Professor Fu's research centers on cryosphere hydrology, subsurface engineering, and phase transitions in porous media. She investigates multiphase flow dynamics in contexts like permafrost thaw, snow metamorphism, and carbon sequestration using phase-field modeling and experimental techniques. Her work bridges fundamental physics with applications in environmental resilience and energy systems, emphasizing predictive capabilities for large-scale phenomena through simplified multiscale theories. Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals intense focus on cryosphere processes (snow, permafrost) using advanced phase-field modeling and fiber-optic sensing. Key trends include freezing infiltration patterns, meltwater transport in layered snow, and seismic monitoring of soil moisture. Her work increasingly integrates field validation with computational models for environmental applications like drought monitoring and carbon sequestration. Her scientific recognition includes: William H. Hurt Scholar (2024) Professor Fu actively mentors graduate students, as evidenced by qualified students in her research group. She teaches core courses including Thermal Science (ME 11 abc) and Computational Methods for Flow in Porous Media (ME/CE/Ge/ESE 146), training students in both theoretical foundations and applied techniques for subsurface flow problems. She leads the Fu Research Group on Mechanics and Physics of Porous Media Flow, which develops multiscale theories to predict large-scale environmental and energy system behaviors. The group combines mathematical modeling, laboratory experiments, and field observations to address problems in geologic carbon storage, cryosphere dynamics, and subsurface resource management, with recent emphasis on climate change impacts and monitoring technologies.
Mary Silber is a Professor in the Department of Statistics and the College at the University of Chicago, and serves on the Executive Committee of the Committee on Computational and Applied Mathematics (CCAM). Her research focuses on dynamical systems and bifurcation theory, with applications to climate science, ecological dynamics, and pattern formation. She investigates tipping points in climate systems and self-organized vegetation patterns in drylands, exploring mathematical mechanisms behind abrupt transitions and noise-driven instability. Her work bridges theoretical mathematics with real-world phenomena, including Arctic sea ice melt processes and feedback mechanisms in ecosystems. Notable grants include a $50M interdisciplinary initiative between Northwestern and UChicago for life sciences data science and a collaborative Institute for Foundational Data Science. Silber’s contributions span bifurcation theory, spatio-temporal chaos, and control of unstable dynamical systems, with a focus on symmetry-breaking and model reduction techniques. Her recent research emphasizes resilience in dryland ecosystems under climate variability and the role of percolation thresholds in Arctic melt pond dynamics. Despite no formal student listings, her work is supported by interdisciplinary collaborations and federal grants in applied mathematics and environmental science.
Jason M. LaBelle is a Professor of Anthropology at Colorado State University (CSU), affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts. He serves as Director of the Center for Mountain and Plains Archaeology (CMPA) and Curator of the Archaeological Repository of CSU (AR-CSU). His research focuses on hunter-gatherer societies, particularly in the Intermountain West, emphasizing subsistence, mobility, and pre/post-contact Native American cultures. His work spans environments from the Great Plains to high alpine regions, with specialties in Clovis/Folsom cultures, communal hunting practices, and lithic technology. LaBelle teaches courses in archaeology, lithic technology, and public archaeology. He oversees CMPA projects funded by federal agencies like the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management, supporting student training in fieldwork, lab analysis (lithics, faunal studies), and report writing. His lab houses extensive collections from Colorado’s South Platte and Colorado River Basins, including alpine artifacts. He actively engages with tribal partners and the public through outreach, conferences, and NAGPRA coordination. LaBelle’s recent research includes studies on lithic quarries, ice patch archaeology, and Bayesian chronology modeling. His publications address prehistoric mobility, site chronology, and cultural resource management. He values interdisciplinary collaboration and student mentorship, aiming to bridge academic and applied archaeology.
David S. Eisenberg is a Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Biological Chemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he also serves as Director of the UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics and as an HHMI Investigator. His research focuses on protein interactions, particularly the structural basis for conversion of normal proteins to the amyloid state and conversion of prions to the infectious state. Dr. Eisenberg earned his undergraduate degree in biochemical sciences from Harvard College and his D.Phil. degree in theoretical chemistry from Oxford University on a Rhodes Scholarship. His postdoctoral research was on ice and water with Walter Kauzmann at Princeton and in protein crystallography with Richard Dickerson. He joined the UCLA faculty after his postdoctoral studies. Dr. Eisenberg and his research group focus on protein interactions in amyloid and prion diseases. These diseases involve protein aggregation where normal functional proteins convert to abnormal aggregated forms. Systemic amyloid diseases like dialysis-related amyloidosis result from fiber accumulation until organ failure, while neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, and prion conditions appear to be caused by smaller oligomers. In 2005, his team determined the atomic-level structure for the amyloid fiber spine, revealing a 'steric zipper' of two parallel beta sheets packed across a dry interface. Since then, they've determined approximately 90 amyloid spines from 15 disease-related proteins. In 2010, they identified the structure of a toxic amyloid-related oligomer consisting of six anti-parallel beta strands forming a cylindrical barrel. His recent publications demonstrate continued innovation in amyloid research, with focus areas including structural prediction of amyloid formation, mechanisms of tau fibril disassembly in Alzheimer's disease, cryo-EM analysis of amyloid polymorphism, and structure-based design of inhibitors for amyloid toxicity. His work integrates computational, structural, and biochemical approaches to understand protein aggregation across multiple disease contexts. Dr. Eisenberg has received numerous prestigious awards and honors: National Academy of Sciences Member American Philosophical Society Member Institute of Medicine Member Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator Biophysical Society Emily M. Gray Award Harvard Westheimer Medal UCLA Seaborg Medal Technion - Israel Institute of Technology Harvey Prize in Human Health As Director of the UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics and an HHMI Investigator, Dr. Eisenberg leads significant research initiatives in protein structure and aggregation. His laboratory combines X-ray crystallography, bioinformatics, and biochemical techniques to investigate protein interactions, with particular emphasis on amyloid-forming proteins and their role in disease. The Eisenberg Lab, located in Boyer Hall at UCLA, maintains an active research program investigating the structural basis of protein aggregation. The lab continues to build on its landmark discoveries of amyloid structures while exploring new frontiers in understanding protein misfolding diseases and developing potential therapeutic interventions.
Professor Emilio Artacho is a faculty member in the Department of Physics at the University of Cambridge, based at the Cavendish Laboratory. He transitioned from the Department of Earth Sciences in 2011, where he was granted a Professorship in 2006. His research focuses on computational simulations of non-equilibrium processes in condensed matter, particularly using first-principles molecular dynamics and density-functional theory. He co-developed the SIESTA program for linear-scaling electronic structure calculations, widely utilized in computational materials science. Artacho’s work spans far-from-equilibrium phenomena in irradiated matter, multiferroics, nanoconfined water systems, and surface chemistry. His contributions include studies of electronic stopping power in materials, 2D electron gas formation at ferroelectric interfaces, and the structural dynamics of water under confinement. His academic roles include adjunct positions at Ikerbasque (Nanogune, Spain) and visiting professorships at institutions like the University of California, Berkeley, and École Normale Supérieure de Lyon. Research interests are anchored in theoretical condensed matter physics, with applications to nanomaterials, radiation effects, and interfacial phenomena. His computational methods bridge quantum mechanics and classical dynamics, enabling insights into complex systems like proton-irradiated solar cells and confined water films.
Dr. Arun Babu Suja is a Research Scientist at the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) in Leipzig, Germany, affiliated with the Department of Atmospheric Microphysics . His research focuses on aerosol-climate interactions in extreme environments including the Arctic, Himalayas, and oceanic regions. Education: Ph.D. in Physics, University of Kerala, India (2018-2022) M.Phil. in Physics, University of Kerala (2014-2015) M.Sc. in Physics, University of Kerala (2011-2013) B.Sc. in Physics and Computer Application, University of Kerala (2008-2011) Research Experience: 2022-Present: Research Scientist at TROPOS, Germany 2016-2022: Research Scholar at ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre 2015-2016: Research Fellow at Indian Institute of Science Research Interests: Specializes in aerosol mixing state, aerosol-cryosphere interactions, radiative forcing, and ice nucleating particles. Current projects include studies of Arctic aerosol transport (APAICA) and Bay of Bengal aerosol characteristics (BIOCAT-IIOE2). Publications: His 10 publications (2019-2024) focus on aerosol properties in Himalayan/Arctic regions, with emphasis on carbonaceous aerosols, black carbon distribution, and radiative effects. Research methodologies combine field measurements and chemical analysis. Awards: ISRO Junior Research Fellowship (2016)
Professor Merje Kuus is a distinguished political geographer at the Department of Geography , Faculty of Arts , University of British Columbia . Her work bridges political geography , international relations , and sociology to examine knowledge production in policy-making contexts. PhD from Syracuse University (1999) WSET Level 3 Award in Wine holder Active in Arctic Circle's Mission Council on the GlobalArctic Research focuses on expertise in diplomatic practices , with empirical specializations in European Union and Arctic governance . She also explores geographical imaginaries in wine production , connecting policy analysis to cultural geography. Key publications include: Geopolitics and Expertise: Knowledge and Authority in European Diplomacy (Wiley Blackwell, 2014) Geopolitics Reframed: Security and Identity in Europe’s Eastern Enlargement (Palgrave Macmillan, 2007) Ashgate Research Companion to Critical Geopolitics (co-edited, 2013) Recent scientific awards include: Fulbright Fellowship Killam Fellowship SSHRC Canada grants Her supervision portfolio spans climate governance, disaster response expertise, and transnational policy networks, with completed PhD theses on topics ranging from Vancouver's climate governance to Arctic resource governance .
Michael Knap is an Associate Professor of Collective Quantum Dynamics at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), within the Department of Physics at the TUM School of Natural Sciences. His research group focuses on condensed matter theory, quantum many-body systems, and quantum simulation. Knap holds office in room 5101.01.037 at James-Franck-Str. 1, 85748 Garching b. München, and can be reached at michael.knap@ph.tum.de or +49 (89) 289 - 53777. Prof. Knap's research delves into the rich physics of quantum many-body systems, particularly exploring non-equilibrium dynamics and transport phenomena in ultracold quantum gases, interacting light-matter systems, and correlated quantum materials. His work spans multiple subfields including topological phases of matter, quantum simulation with trapped ions, fracton physics, and quantum computation. He develops novel numerical approaches based on quantum information theory and utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to tackle challenging problems in condensed matter physics. His group's research connects fundamental theoretical questions with experimental implementations in quantum simulators. The analysis of Prof. Knap's recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on topological quantum matter, quantum simulation, and emergent phenomena in constrained quantum systems. His work frequently bridges condensed matter theory with quantum information science, as evidenced by publications on fracton hydrodynamics, higher-form symmetries, and quantum error correction. There's a clear progression toward increasingly complex quantum systems and connections to experimental implementations on quantum processors. His research shows significant interdisciplinary reach, connecting condensed matter physics with quantum computing and quantum information theory. ERC Consolidator Grant (2025) ERC Starting Grant (2019) Supervisory Award, TUM Department of Physics (2018) Promotio sub auspiciis Praesidentis rei publicae, Austria (2013) Prof. Knap has established a robust research program supported by prestigious European Research Council grants. His group actively collaborates with both theoretical and experimental groups worldwide, particularly in the quantum simulation community. He has supervised numerous students through Master's Seminars on Collective Quantum Dynamics covering topics like quantum simulation with trapped ions and theoretical quantum computation. His research has received significant attention, with several publications featured as Editors' suggestions and Research Highlights in leading journals. The Collective Quantum Dynamics group maintains strong connections with experimental quantum simulation efforts, particularly in the areas of ultracold atoms and trapped ion systems. Knap's theoretical work often provides frameworks for interpreting experimental results in quantum simulators, creating a productive feedback loop between theory and experiment. His group participates in collaborative research networks focused on advancing quantum simulation capabilities and understanding fundamental aspects of quantum many-body physics.
David N. Thomas is a Professor of Arctic Ecosystem Research and Director of the International Masters Programme for Environmental Change and Global Sustainability at the University of Helsinki. He is affiliated with the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, working within the Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme and the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science. Dr. Thomas is a distinguished Marine-Arctic-Antarctic-Climate Biologist with extensive expertise in sea ice research, polar ecosystems, and climate change impacts. His research focuses on the biogeochemical processes within sea ice, carbon cycling in polar regions, and the ecological implications of a changing Arctic Ocean. He has made significant contributions to understanding how sea ice ecosystems function and respond to environmental change, with particular attention to microbial communities, nutrient dynamics, and carbon fluxes. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on the changing Arctic Ocean ecosystem, carbon and microbial dynamics in thawing permafrost landscapes, and sea ice biogeochemistry. Dr. Thomas has also contributed to important policy documents such as the PAME Synthesis Report on Ecosystem Status in the Central Arctic Ocean, bridging the gap between scientific research and environmental management. Professor Thomas has recently published the 4th Edition of "Sea Ice: Its Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology and Societal Importance," which represents a comprehensive update to this seminal work in polar science. His research spans both Arctic and Antarctic environments, examining how these critical polar regions are responding to global environmental change.
Dr. Heike Wex is a prominent atmospheric scientist at the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research in Leipzig, Germany, where she serves as a Researcher in the Atmospheric Microphysics department. With over two decades of continuous research since completing her PhD in 2002, she has established herself as a leading expert in aerosol-cloud interactions and ice nucleation processes. Her work spans multiple international collaborations and major research initiatives including (AC)³, PICNIC, MarParCloud, and PI-ICE projects. Her research focuses on experimental investigations and theoretical descriptions of aerosol-cloud interactions, with specific expertise in hygroscopic growth at high relative humidities (>99% RH), particle activation to cloud droplets, heterogeneous ice nucleation processes, and the role of atmospheric aerosol particles as nuclei for cloud droplets and ice formation. Her work bridges atmospheric physics, climate science, and environmental chemistry, with significant contributions to understanding how microscopic processes affect cloud formation and climate. Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on polar and marine environments, with particular attention to biological contributions to ice nucleation, seasonal variations in Arctic aerosols, and the development of advanced measurement techniques. Her work consistently addresses fundamental questions about how aerosols influence cloud properties and climate systems, with increasing emphasis on climate-relevant processes in polar regions. Dr. Wex has held significant leadership positions, including serving as Vice President of the International Commission on Clouds and Precipitation (ICCP) from 2021-2024. She is also actively engaged with Scientists for Future in Leipzig, demonstrating her commitment to addressing climate change through scientific expertise and public engagement. Beyond her research, she has organized numerous scientific workshops and field campaigns, including leadership roles in the LExNo experiment, FROST projects, and the 16th International Conference on Clouds and Precipitation. Her work has established important methodological approaches for studying ice nucleation and has contributed significantly to our understanding of aerosol impacts on cloud formation across diverse environments from the Arctic to the tropics.
Marcel Lubbers is a Professor of Interdisciplinary Social Science: Relations between groups and cultures at Utrecht University's Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences. He leads the European Research Centre on Migration and Ethnic Relations (ERCOMER) and serves as a board member of the Interuniversity Center for Social Science Theory and Methodology (ICS). As associate editor of the European Sociological Review (ESR), he significantly influences academic discourse in migration and political sociology. His work represents Utrecht University in the focus area Migration and Societal Change, connecting research with broader societal implications. Professor Lubbers' research program centers on migration's societal impacts, particularly examining how immigration influences nationalism, Euroscepticism, and voting behavior. His work adopts both macro-level perspectives on societal cohesion and micro-level analyses of immigrant integration processes. Recent publications reveal his focus on political extremism, interethnic relations, and the psychological mechanisms behind public attitudes toward migration. His methodology combines large-scale survey analysis, comparative European studies, and longitudinal approaches to track attitude changes over time. Lubbers' scholarly output shows consistent engagement with contemporary political challenges, including analyses of radical right voting patterns, the workplace as a setting for interethnic contact, and the impact of national nostalgia on political attitudes. His research demonstrates methodological sophistication through meta-analyses, mixed-methods approaches, and innovative survey designs like the Dutch Parliamentary Election Study and Dutch Ethnic Minority Election Study. Through web publications on platforms like Stukroodvlees.nl and contributions to the Migration Advisory Council, Lubbers actively bridges academic research and public policy debates. His work provides evidence-based insights on migration policy, electoral behavior, and societal integration that inform both scholarly and policy discussions in the Netherlands and beyond.
